Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County · 1 week ago
Executive Director, Metropolitan Historical Commission
The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County is seeking an Executive Director for the Metropolitan Historical Commission, Nashville’s municipal historic preservation agency. The Executive Director will provide strategic leadership and operational management to advance the historic preservation mission, overseeing staff, programs, and community initiatives to protect and promote the county’s historic resources.
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Responsibilities
Directs the operations of the Historic Preservation Department under the oversight of the Historical Commission
Supervises a staff of nine full-time and two part-time employees
Manages the department’s annual budget and develops strategies for improvements and funding requests
Provides professional guidance to the Commission, the Davidson County Historian, and community stakeholders
Builds strong partnerships with the Mayor’s Office, Metro Council, state representatives, and other Metro departments (Parks, Planning, Finance, NDOT, Schools, Water, Codes, Legal, and General Services)
Advises Metro departments and community partners on historic preservation issues
Develops and maintains educational programming, outreach, and community relations initiatives
Serves as ex-officio on nonprofit Friends Groups boards supporting historic preservation, including Nashville City Cemetery Association, Friends of Fort Negley, Friends of Two Rivers, Friends of Aattifama’ Archaeological Park, Friends of Fort Nashborough, and the Nashville Historical Foundation
Applies for and manages federal, state, and local grants supporting historic resources
Oversees the management of the c.1822 Nashville City Cemetery (National Register site) and Davidson County’s inventory of ~550 cemeteries
Works with the National Park Service’s Surplus Properties Program, including biennial reporting for city-owned properties such as Customs House and Union Station
Maintains and updates signature programs: Historical Marker Program, Nashville Conference on African American History and Culture, Preservation Awards, Nashville Sites (mobile-friendly app), Countywide Survey of Historic Resources
Provides comment on federal Section 106 Review projects to the Tennessee Historical Commission
Reviews National Register nominations for Davidson County properties and submits recommendations to the TN State Review Board
Reviews proposals in MDHA Redevelopment Districts to assess impacts to historic resources
Works with the Tennessee State Archaeologist to preserve archaeological sites and artifacts on public property
Oversees the development of brochures, booklets, and books that share Nashville’s historic narrative in a comprehensive and accessible way
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree in history, historic preservation, architectural history, or a related field
Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience working in historic preservation or closely related field
Preferred
Advanced degree in history, historic preservation, architectural history, or a related field
In-depth knowledge of the history of Nashville-Davidson County and Tennessee
Experience with federal, state, and local historic preservation laws and policies
Demonstrated ability to provide strategic leadership and manage staff, budgets, and programs
Demonstrated ability to build and maintain collaborative partnerships with governmental, nonprofit, and community stakeholders
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking and publication development
Experience managing grants and capital projects related to historic resources
Benefits
10 Vacation Days per year (increasing after 5 years of service)
1 Sick Day per month
12 Paid Holidays per year
Company
Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County
Nashville is a prospering city that offers a high quality of living in a low-cost business environment.